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Constipation

pheobepander

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pheobepander Newbie
pheobepander
Posted

Does anyone else have constipation issues after starting the gluten-free diet? I was hoping to at least a lb or two but I have actually gained weight and guess where it is sitting since it is not coming out. If you dealt with this how did you resolve it?

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momofk&n Newbie
momofk&n
Posted

I was dx 4 years ago, and one of the things that confused my doctors was that my system just stopped. No laxative, fiber supplement or anything helped. What worked for me was sticking to the gluten free diet, at night, try taking a Correctal. It is a laxative just for women and the only one that worked for me even when prescription ones failed. And if that doesn't help, try the Cabbage soup diet. If your weight is under control, don't follow it for the whole week, just two to three days, but it will flush your system and get your bowels functioning again. It can take 5 years for your intestines to heal. So for me, going on that diet every three to six months for a week seems to balance my system and keep things moving properly.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

the GI doc I went to said I probably don't have celiac because I never have diarreah. :P I'm always constipated. My blood test was 99% positive, and the endoscopy showed atrophy. Showed her didn't I? ;)

Why they're so stuck on diarreah as the be-all-end all sypmtom of Celiac boggles me! Not everyone gets diarreah!

I have been having a problem the past month or so and I wish I could figure out what would work to get things moving again! When I first went gluten free, I was fine, then I got this dang headache that won't go away no matter what, and any of the analgesics (though gluten free!) are all stopping me up. If I go without the alalgesics, my headache is blinding. If I take the analgesics, I don't poop. *sigh*

Usually flax meal and lots of water works for me though.

freeatlast Collaborator
freeatlast
Posted

Keep drinking lots of water. I sometimes make slaw with cabbage and yoghurt instead of mayonnaise and add some lemon juice, salt and pepper. Usually, I take two capsules of Cascara Sagrada capsules, with one glass of water that has one tablespoon psyllium fiber in it. That helps me. I also drink Swedish Bitters, about a tablespoon, in a cup of hot water.

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

and sometimes you just gotta break down and take a laxative. Or two. :unsure::lol:

  • 2 weeks later...
Korinne-S Newbie
Korinne-S
Posted

and sometimes you just gotta break down and take a laxative. Or two. :unsure::lol:

I doubt laxatives will help. If anything they'll just mask the problem.

I take a tablespoon of Benefiber a day and up to two depending on how I'm feeling. Ingredients will probably freak you out just as much as they did me; says gluten free but uses wheat bran,I believe, as the fiber. I've never had any issues with it (very low ppm) but I switched anyway to the Walgreens off brand which uses corn bran just to be safe.

I've also started using coconut flour in anything I bake. Just throw in one part coconut and the rest an all purpose gluten-free flour. It's very high in fiber and protein and has helped me a lot. I eat Fiber Bread made with millet and flax in the brown package too. That's helped me to lower the amount of "Benefiber" product I need to take daily.

It is what it is. A gluten free diet is very low in fiber and it requires other substitutes to maintain a healthy diet. But I would not suggest laxatives unless you like the runs :blink:

Reba32 Rookie
Reba32
Posted

adding more fibre to an already stopped up colon is just going to have more fibre stuck on top of an already stopped up colon!

Sometimes laxatives are really the only option. And then once the blockage is cleared, do your utmost to not get stopped up again.

I lost about 5 pounds in one day, and haven't had a problem since. I was very very tender in the middle section for a while though. Bruised from the inside I think!

Once you figure out what caused the constipation, then you know how to avoid it.

And ensuring you get adequate dietary fibre (about 25 grams) every day and ample water (min 2 litres). Fibre doesn't work without water.

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runningcrazy Contributor
runningcrazy
Posted

Does anyone else have constipation issues after starting the gluten-free diet? I was hoping to at least a lb or two but I have actually gained weight and guess where it is sitting since it is not coming out. If you dealt with this how did you resolve it?

Yes yes yes yes yes!

Uh its sucks!

Anyway--I still struggle but what has helped me AMAZINGLY is more magnesium. We bought some magnesium supplements(make sure its gluten free) I think it was either Magnesium Citrate or Oxide.

Anyway, start by taking like 800-1000mg for a few days. If nothing happens, bump it up a bit. If you get diarrhea, cut back a couple hundred. Keep experimenting until you get regular bowel movements.

I also take 3/4 teaspoon of pure psyllium husk in water every morning. Also make sure you are getting enough good fats and oils like olive oil and avocado.

jennifert Newbie
jennifert
Posted

I also had major constipation issues when I went gluten free...I couldn't understand especially since i was eating more veggies than ever. I switched to a gluten free multi-seed bread, and also started drinking a cup of prune juice every other day and it worked! :) Also, the magnesium supplements help a lot too.

jackay Enthusiast
jackay
Posted

Yes yes yes yes yes!

Uh its sucks!

Anyway--I still struggle but what has helped me AMAZINGLY is more magnesium. We bought some magnesium supplements(make sure its gluten free) I think it was either Magnesium Citrate or Oxide.

Anyway, start by taking like 800-1000mg for a few days. If nothing happens, bump it up a bit. If you get diarrhea, cut back a couple hundred. Keep experimenting until you get regular bowel movements.

I also take 3/4 teaspoon of pure psyllium husk in water every morning. Also make sure you are getting enough good fats and oils like olive oil and avocado.

I usually don't have a problem with constipation. I started taking calcium with magnesium citrate and got diarrhea. I had to switch back to a calcium supplement that doesn't contain magnesium. Whenever I do feel a little constipated, I take just one calcium with magnesium and it does the trick for me.

A good probiotic is also very helpful as is psyllium.

runningcrazy Contributor
runningcrazy
Posted

I usually don't have a problem with constipation. I started taking calcium with magnesium citrate and got diarrhea. I had to switch back to a calcium supplement that doesn't contain magnesium. Whenever I do feel a little constipated, I take just one calcium with magnesium and it does the trick for me.

A good probiotic is also very helpful as is psyllium.

Oh ya, thanks I forgot to add that probiotics are good, and i also take enzymes with most meals.

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